The Minnesota Vikings have reached an
agreement with Leslie Frazier to be their next coach.

The Vikings announced Monday they're removing the interim tag
from Frazier's title. Frazier, 51, took over on Nov. 22 when Brad
Childress was fired, and the Vikings went 3-3 under Frazier after a 3-7 start.

The defensive coordinator under Childress and a former
cornerback for the Bears, Frazier drew positive reviews from the
players for his steady approach. They've pushed for him to get the
job on a permanent basis, after many of them grew frustrated with
Childress and his rigid style.

Frazier is the eighth coach in the franchise's 50-year history.

"Our players and entire organization have great respect for
Leslie," owner Zygi Wilf said in a statement released by the team.
"He has a vast knowledge of the game, both as a former player and
as a coach, and he has a terrific way with those who play for him
and work with him."

Already mired in a mess of a season that started with a Super
Bowl-or-bust goal, the Vikings lost quarterback Brett Favre to a
shoulder injury on Dec. 5. Then, the roof of their domed stadium
collapsed a week later; they had back-to-back home games moved; and
their scheduled Dec. 26 game at Philadelphia was pushed back two
days by a snowstorm.

"He's a great leader. He's a player's coach, and he's somebody
people would like playing for," wide receiver Percy Harvin said
before the news became official.

Childress hired Frazier to run the defense in 2007 after Mike
Tomlin left to become Pittsburgh's coach and later appointed him
assistant head coach. Frazier has interviewed for seven coaching
vacancies over the past three years.

"I like obviously playing for him," said linebacker Chad
Greenway, one of several key players whose contracts are expiring.
"I've played for him every year I've been the starter here. If
he's going to be here, that's obviously a good thing on the comfort
level."

Frazier addressed the players in a season-ending meeting on
Monday morning.

"He's always seemed like a head coach ever since he took over
that role," left tackle Bryant McKinnie said. "He knows how to
talk to you, and he respects you."

Frazier has been coaching in the NFL since 1999. He's been an
assistant with Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Indianapolis. The
native of Columbus, Mo., played at Alcorn State and broke in with
the Bears in 1981.